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Fergus,<br>
<br>
As far as I am concerned Gates Edge have never been disappointed to
have you has our Archery Champion. You have always acted honorably,
every time I have seen you the Gates Edge Archery Champions banner has
proudly been on display, you made sure that you contacted us long in
advance of our next championship to offer your services and to see how
you could help. I dont think that we have ever asked anything of you
that you did not provide. Of course as a Shire Champion you do not
have a Baron and Baroness to serve so it is a little different than a
baronial championship.<br>
<br>
I would never be a person to advocate that the titled champions only be
chosen from the local populace. But each person seeking to be a titled
champion should make sure that they can do what will be asked of him.
If they can not fulfill those duties because they think they live too
far away then that is something they need to consider but someone may
live far away and still be able to discharge the duties quite well.<br>
<br>
I dont think we need to have some separate category of "Local
Champion". There is simply a difference in someone who holds the
office of Champion for a branch or a Noble and someone who is a
tournament winner.<br>
<br>
We can have lots of tournaments with prizes, and trophies, and scrolls
that do not need to have branch championships associated with them.
You dont have to limit yourself to one tournament a day. Most (not
all) events have time to run two tournaments in a single day. We
always TRY to have a separate prize or fun shoot at our events that is
not for title of Shire Champion. We plan on trying to do that again
this year.<br>
<br>
We want everyone to come and have a good time. We want everyone to
shoot as much as we can. We want everyone to have the opportunity to
be a tournament winner and we want to again choose a champion that will
represent the Shire well. <br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
-- <br>
<font size="+1">HL Eadric Anstapa</font><br>
DSEM CA<br>
<a href="mailto:eadric@scabrewer.com"><i>eadric@scabrewer.com</i></a><br>
<br>
Ferguson wrote:
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<div><font size="2">
<div><font size="2">Greetings to all archers.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">On the subject of archery champions - apparently
most comments and opinions have been offered.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">I noticed that most contributors agree that there
are different expectations of the champions: local archery champions
and event tournament champions. That difference appears to be the main
subject.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">As Ulrich pointed out - event tournament
champions must 'shoot to win'. Local loyalty or honor is not a part of
actual shooting. Competitors are expected to act honorably and
respectful, but that does not win event tournaments. Skill does!</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Eadric pointed out - local archery champions
must satisfy the barony's/shire's policies and expectations; including
honor, chivalry, loyalty, etc., attending local events, helping at
practices, and of course, service to the baron or nobles as requested.
Obviously skill is required to win, but more is required after the
competition. Perhaps the additional requirements should also be part
of the awarding of local championships (1/2 tournament, 1/2 service,
etc.).</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">As jsspinks pointed out - perhaps there is some
way the eventholders could let all competitors know which type of event
it will be and what will be expected of the champions.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Until then, Lord Alden's suggestion to consult
with the nobles may be the only alternative. Several archers trying to
contact a local noble that will make a decision regarding an archery
competition may prove to be difficult. But, for now that may be our
only option.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">I am in that position now. I am the current
archery champion for the Shire of Gates Edge. I am also the current
archery champion of the Barony of Bryn Gwlad.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Once I realized what may be expected of local
champions I stopped competing out of town. That is a shame. I am
missing a great deal, and the local barony's and shires could end
up with closed tournaments. The way it is now, we are discouraging out
of town competitors - intentionally or unintentionally. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">As a member of Bryn Gwlad of whom I have pledged
loyalty, I have been able to participate in local events, feasts,
archery practices and local tournaments. I have been able to be of
service to Baron Thomas - in other words - perform the duties of a
local Titled Champion.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">I have not been able to provide those same
services or perform the duties of the local archery champion for the
Shire of Gates Edge. And that is not right - it is not fair to the
members of the shire. Fortunately Gates Edge has a real strong archery
program and they did not need me. That is not true for many other
barony's or shire's.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">I have only been in the SCA a little over two
years so I was not aware of what may be expected of me as the local
Titled Champion. However, bowing out or quitting a tournament would
never have been an option to me - in my opinion that would be an
insult to all other competitors in the tournament. If you are going to
shoot, shoot to win or do not compete. Anything less would only
discredit archery within the SCA. Again - that is my opinion.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">SCA archery is very unique. I would like to see
all archers make sure we preserve that uniqueness. I can attest to
that uniqueness (I am 69 and retired. I have only been shooting for 3
years, but I have the time to participate in several competitions);
I shoot SCA tournaments, Senior Olympics, and various 3-D tournaments.
I also teach basic archery and hold classes about the history of archery</font>.
Believe me - SCA archery is different from all the others, and very
special. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Having said that, I hope we would not allow
archery tournaments to become closed to out of town visitors -
intentionally or unintentionally. Mundane gas prices will hurt us
enough as it is.</font></div>
<div><font size="2">
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Perhaps you have come up with a solution.
Separate the two archery championships: local champion and event
champion. Let all competitors know which kind of competition it is,
and what will be expected of the champion.</font></div>
</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Would separating local archery championships from
event archery championships help? I have not researched it, but it
would seem logical that's the way it would have been done in period.
Local champions take on all visiting challengers.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">As Robert suggested, hold local competitions for
local champions and event tournaments for tournament champions.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Lady Lyneya de Grey is this something the Kingdom
(and Pug) would help with?</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Thank you for allowing me to comment. And again
I apologize to the members of Gates Edge for not being able to serve
them better as their archery champion, but perhaps some good will come
of it.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">As always, in service.</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2">Fergus d'Onray</font></div>
</font></div>
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<br>
<div class="moz-signature"><a href="mailto:eadric@scabrewer.com"><i></i></a>
<p></p>
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